Sign



May 17, 1938. l

Filed May 7, 1936 G. D. DUNTZE SIGN 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. D. DUNTZE May 17, 1938.

SIG'N Filed May 7, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VEN To e: Z3 foeef D. DU/vrzg lim` Patented May 17, 1938 SIGN George D. Duntze, St.

Louis, Mo., assigner of one-half to Herman C. Stoffregen, St. Louis,

Application May 7, 1936, Serial No. 78,384

15 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to signs, and more particularly to a neon sign adapted to be used for advertising purposes.

At the present time, the type of sign commonly referred to as a neon sign is widely used for various purposes. However, an ornamental neon sign of a size effective for advertising purposes is relatively expensive. No device has been constructed for the use of people of very moderate means. Further, it is impossible for the ordinary owner to repair a neon sign of present day construction due to its assemblage, so that when it falls into disrepair, it is necessary to call a service man to place the device in servi-ceable condition. Many other disadvantages are also present in the aforesaid neon sign commonly used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a neon sign adapted to be serviced by the purchaser.

A further object is to provide a neon sign of a construction so economical to produce as to be within the reach of an ordinary user of such devices.

A further object is to provide a neon sign for two-way advertising purposes which is adapted to present a selected legend or legends.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the securing cover shown in central section to more clearly illustrate the assembly.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, parts being broken away for clarity of detail.

Fig. '7 is a section on the line '1 -'I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, 9 indicates a preferred embodiment of a neon sign constructed in line with the present invention.

The foundation of the sign is shown as a casing or box I which includes longitudinal extensions II at each end thereof. The box Ill contains electrodes for neon gas tubes to be hereinafter described, and related electrical mechanism conventional for neon signs adapted to be connected directly to a house electrical system, but inasmuch as the specific details of the same form no part of the present invention, the said contents are neither shown in the drawings nor described in the specification. Each extension II has the flanges I2 along the sides thereof and the flange I3 at the end.

At each side of the casing is a frame member or casting generally designated I4, which includes a U-shaped superstructure I and a lower` portion I 6, the latter serving as means of concealing the box IIJ. Each frame member is connected for support to adjacent flanges I2 by bolt and nut means I'I. The opposed superstructures are spaced apart by means of threaded members I8, which are threaded into bosses 1 I9 on one superstructure and which abut the other. Each superstructure has an offset flange around the full exterior outline of the U. A U-shaped cover or strip 2I has iianges 22 which cooperate with the iianges 2|). At the ends of the legs of the U-strip are holes 23 (see Fig. `'7). The flanges I3 have holes 24, through which and through the holes 23, bolts 25 pass to cooperate with nuts 26 to hold the cover in place. each bolt 25. Each of the frame members may be ornamented as at 28 and 29 for the purpose of enhancing the general display effect thereof.

A ller strip 21 is supported in place by Behind each U-superstructure is a pane of glass There are disposed between the two frame l members I 4, two identical frame members or castings generally indicated 32, each of which in the present embodiment has a U-shaped superstructure 33, and a lower portion 34 connecting the legs of the U, which serves a further 4 purpose to be pointed out herebelow. The lower portions 34 are connected to the extensions II by bolt and nut means 35 (see Fig. '7). As can be seen in Fig. 5, castings 32 are disposed in abutting relation and are of such individual 4' transverse cross-section as to provide when so disposed a transverse cross-section of V form. The legs 35 of the are connected by nut and bolt means 3l or the like, the bolt passing through leg extensions 35 disposed at the bight of the U-superstructure. There are further located at the bight of the U-superstructure 33 cooperating abutting bosses 39, which occupy in effect a portion of the crotch of the V and each of which is grooved at so that together they In the present disform a hole. A neon tube 4l of U construction has a cushioning member 42 at the bight which is adapted to lie within the hole formed by the grooves to support the tube centrally within the crotch 38 of the V, and in substantial contiguous relation to the internal edge 43 of a U- reflector plate 44, which lies centrally between the U-superstructures I5, whose full relationship will be appreciated by an inspection of Figs. 5 and 8. The reflector plate is held in position by having the threaded members I8 pass through holes in the outer border. Nuts I8 on the members I8 abut the plate 44 for adjusting its position. The tube 4I is further supported at the ends of the legs of the UV by the grooves 45 in the connecting portions 34 of the castings 32. Towards the inner side of each leg of the tube is a reector 46. It is, of course, understood that the ends of the tube 4I extend into the box I0, where they are connected to their associated electrodes in the normal manner.

Each leg 38 has a flange 48 which extends substantially around the outer edge oi 'the U-superstructure 33. These flanges provide supporting means for letters or other advertising means 49. Each letter has an extension 5D, which has a hole or holes 5| therethrough. Each ange has a plurality of spaced holes 52, so that bolt and nut means 53 or the like may` cooperate with selectedaligned holesto secure the letter in place. It is to be understoodv that a legend may be cast or formed as a whole and the entire plate connected tothe ange. Itis further to be understood that any combination of letters or symbols may be selectively employed for advertising purposes. It will thus be apparent that a two-way sign results from the above construction, inasmuch aseachr of the flanges 48 carries its advertising legend or symbol independently and apart from the other,lthe opaque reflector 44 separating the two legends so that noconfusion results.

Further ornamentation is provided in the sign by the centrally disposed neon tube 56 which lies adjacent the edges of the colored glass plates 5l. The tube is detachably connected at 58 to the su' perstructure 33 for support. It will, of course, be understood that the tube 56 extends into the box I0 wherev it is duly connected with its associated electrodes. Any connecting means as clips 59 may be used to hold the plates 51 in spaced relation against the tube. An electric cable 68 extends from the bottom of the box I0 and terminates in a plug 6I.

It will be comprehended from a study of the above specication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that the applicant has provided a neon sign which is adapted to fulfill all of the objects specied therefor. By providing duplicate castings or frames held together by means of removable bolts and nuts and an external clamping strip, the device is capable of being readily disassembled by anyone of ordinary mechanical intelligence. Should either of the tubes, for one reason or another, fail to light or function in any wise, the owner of the sign may remove the defective element by releasing the associated castings through removing the few nuts and bolts. A replacement tube may then be installed in lieu of the damaged element and the sign reconstructed quickly and easily. Further, the sign disclosed can be so economically manufactured that it can be placed on the market within reach of the humblest user of this type of product. Of course, the specic design of the sign shown may be varied within a wide range and still remain within the contemplated scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying drawings are given for the purpose of illustration and not for limitation, the invention being limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sign comprising a base, a pair of duplicate frame members supported thereby in spaced relation, a second pair of duplicate frame members supported by the base between the rst pair of frame members, advertising means supported by each of one of said pair of frame members, and a reflector supported by the other pair of frame members between the advertising means to provide a two-way display.

2. A sign comprising a base, a first pair of frame members supported in spaced relation on said base, a second pair of frame members supported on said base between the said first pair, a gas tube supported by one of said pair of members, advertising means supported by one of said pair of members, and a reflector supported by the pair of members other than the said pair supporting said gas tube, all of said aforesaid elements being interconnected for ready disassembly.

3. A sign comprising a base, a pair of frame members supported thereby in spaced relation, a second pair of frame members supported by the base between the first members, a gas tube supported by one oi the pair of members, advertising means supported by the other pair of members, and readily removable securing means holding the base, both pair of members, the advertising means, and the tube in assembled relation so that the assemblage may be quickly disassembled to replace or repair lany of the aforesaid elements.

4. A two-way sign comprising a base, a pair of .duplicate frame members supported thereby, a second pair of duplicate frame members supported by the base between the first members, a reflector plate held centrally between the first members, a gas tube supported by the second members contiguously to an edge of the plate, and advertising means carried by each of the second members so positioned that the plate lies between the same to provide a two-way display.

5. YA signcomprising a base, a pair of duplicate frame members supported thereby in spaced relation, each member including a lower portion and a U-shaped superstructure, a second pair of duplicate frame members supported by the base between the first members, each of said second members having a lower portion and a U-shaped superstructure, each of said second members having a ange around the U superstructure, advertising means adapted to be selectively supported by the flanges, a gas tube supported by the second members, said tube extending around said U and spaced centrally of the flanges, a reflector plate of U-shape disposed centrally between paired rst members and advertising means, said plate having its inner edge contiguous to the said tube, so that light from the tube illuminates the advertising means on both sides of the reflector to provide a two-way sign.

6. A sign comprising a base, duplicate frame members supported thereby in spaced relation, said members including ornamented U-shaped superstructures, a ilange around each U, a closure strip of U form having flanges to cooperate with the first iianges to close the end space between the superstructures, means securing the legs of the U-strip to the base, a second pair of dupliH cate frame members supported by the base between the first members, each of said second members including a U superstructure, a reflector plate supported centrally between the rst U superstructures, a gas tube conforming to and supported centrally by the second U superstructures, said tube being contiguous to the inner edge of the reflector plate, a reilector of U crosssection adjacent portions of the tube, a flange around the outer edge of each of the second U superstructures, and advertising means selectively interchangeably supported by said last flanges.

7. A two-way sign comprising a base, a pair of duplicate frame members supported thereby, a second pair of duplicate frame members supported by the base between the first members, a reector plate held centrally between the first members, a gas tube supported by the second members contiguously to an edge of the plate, mechanism within said base adapted to illuminate gas in said tube upon the application of an electrical current thereto, and advertising means carried by each of the second members so pom sitioned that the plate lies between the same to provide atwo-way display.

8. A sign comprising a base, a frame supported by said base, a gas tube supported by said frame, a reflector plate disposed with an edge contiguous to said tube, advertising means supported by said frame at each side of said plate adapted to be illuminated by light from said tube, and means encasing said frame, tube, plate, and advertising means.

9. A sign comprising a base, a frame supported by said base having a U-shaped superstructure, a U-shaped gas tube supported by said frame, a U- shaped reflector plate disposed with an edge contiguous to said tube, advertising means supported by said frame at each side of said plate adapted to be illuminated by light from said tube, and means encasing said frame, tube, plate, and advertising means.

10. A sign comprising a base, a pair of duplicate frame members, each member including a flange around a major portion of its periphery, advertising means removably and selectively supported by said flanges, a reflector plate disposed between said advertising means, a gas tube disposed contiguously to an edge of said plate and supported by said frame members, and means en.- casing said aforesaid assemblage.

1l. A sign comprising a base, a pair of duplicate frame members, each comprising a U-shaped superstructure, a flange around each of said superstructures having means to removably and selectively receive advertising means, removable advertising means supported by said flanges, a reector plate of U-shape supported between said advertising means, a gas tube supported by the members and disposed adjacent an edge of said reilector plate whereby to illuminate all of said advertising means, and means encasing said aforesaid assemblage.

l2. A sign comprising a base, a duplicate pair of frame members removably supported thereon, advertising means removably and selectively supported by each of said members, a gas tube removably supported by said members, a removable reflector plate disposed between said advertising means with an edge adjacent said tube, and means encasing said aforesaid assemblage adapted to be readily removed from thereabout.

13. A sign comprising a base, duplicate frame members supported thereon, removable advertising means, each member including a ange around the major portion of its periphery having means to removably and selectively receive said advertising means, means separating the advertising means of one member from the advertising means of the other member, and means for enclosing said aforesaid assemblage.

14. A sign comprising a base, duplicate frame members supported on said base, each of said members including a superstructure of inverted U-shape, advertising means supported by said members, a reflector plate disposed between said advertising means, a gas tube of inverted U- shape supported by said members and disposed to light said advertising means, a second gas tube supported centrally of the legs of the frame members, and means enclosing said aforesaid assemblage.

15. A sign comprising a pair of frame members, a gas tube supported thereby, advertising means supported by each of said frame members to receive light from the tube, means disposed between the advertising means to separate the same and reflector plates disposed adjacent selected portions to provide a two-way display of said tube to throw light therefrom onto said advertising means.

GEORGE D. DUNTZE. 

